“Who, what and why is this?”

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I have contemplated writing this letter many times but opted not to but then I realize it is better to let it be known as consequences far outweigh any positiveness if I were not to.

Ambulance service is one of the lifelines that gives hope to people in the darkest of times.

The basic needs and procedures are of top priority when it comes to these services. My sad encounter with our Ambulance Service was one that could’ve saved my loved one’s life and above all, the dependence on it was great as I understood (supposedly) the needs and procedures it could provide.

The ambulance arrived approximately 2 minutes after my loved one’s heart stopped, and my hope was still there as I understand the paramedics will be there to try and resuscitate them at least and so I clung to that hope.

The two Hospital personnels jumped out and then I told them the situation and asked if they could try and get my loved one back. The look of dismay, confusion and blankness showed on their faces followed by “Oh, we were just told to come and pick up the body, I’m just a driver and my other colleague here is a security guard”, no paramedics.

In this instance my feelings came crashing down, a mixture of hatred, disappointment, sadness and above all, loss of hope.

Now of course I do not blame these employees as they were only there doing their job (supposedly); but the question that boggled my mind was; “Who should be looking out for these kinds of things?”, “Who deals with these services and procedural undertakings?”, “Who, What and Why is this?”

It took me awhile to comprehend this situation as up until now, I am thinking maybe us the family are to blame for not looking ahead; for not taking better care of our loved one; but one thing for sure stands in my mind is “Why and where are these basic services?”

My research on New Zealand and Australia told me that in Ambulance services, paramedics and skills and knowledge to be attained by those carrying out these services may or may not save a life, but the “hope” is there.

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Before I would make any final decision, I tried looking on the Hospital’s website but it was down, so I decided to call the hospital’s Corporate Service to ask if they have any Procedural Manual outlining their services such as the Clinical Procedures and Guidelines from St. John hospital in New Zealand which was on the internet, readily available.

Upon asking I was met with “Who is this?”, “Where are you calling from?”, “Is this an organization?”, “What for?”.

After getting transferred, the same set of questions were asked and from the background I could hear “Do we have a Manual?”. I opted to not call again after they referred me to another personnel.

We understand our great belief that “If it’s God’s time to call His children, then we cannot stop it”. But I believe that God also gave us a chance to make right what needs to be done to help another life on this earth.

This letter is not intended to bring back the past as I know our loved one has been called, but a call to those that have the power on making these services a hope for our people to see what NEEDS to be done. I commend some of the work the hospital has put in, services and facilities, but these basic, basic needs should not be overlooked as it could definitely save or have saved a life.

Forgive me if I have crossed any line here or if I may have missed doing something at least and know that I am not blaming anyone for our loss, but I only write to convey what is happening especially with these very critical services.

More can be said about other situations pertaining to the Hospital services but for now, I will leave it at this.

I only voice this as an opinion of my own and if ever any other person/people have experienced it then perhaps they can relate or beg to differ.

But other than that, “Who, What and Why is this?”

Ia manuia lava lenei aso. Lord bless.

Tagi Fatu Nutimomoia

Concerned Individual who only wants what is best for Samoa

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